Gaming device having adjustable reel operation and sliding paytable

ABSTRACT

A gaming device which enables a player to operate a selected number of reels within a plurality of reels. The number of reels to be operated may be selected by a direct control feature of the gaming device. In one embodiment, the number of reels operated is based on an amount wagered by the player. If the number of reels operated is less than the entire plurality of reels, the gaming device deactivates those reels not operated. The specific number of reels operated is associated with a specific paytable. The gaming device enables the player to select a number of reels to be operated based on the payout preference of the player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] Gaming devices such as slot machines are well known. Slotmachines generally provide a set of mechanical or video reels, one ormore paylines associated with the reels and a wager input device. Earlyslot machines included three reels. Eventually, slot machines came toinclude additional reels such as four reels, five reels, or any othersuitable number of reels. Certain people enjoy playing slot machineswhich have three reels. Other people enjoy playing slot machines whichhave more than three reels such as five reels. Certain people enjoyplaying slot machines with three reels and slot machines with fivereels. Casinos have attempted to provide players with both types ofgaming devices. However, providing slot machines requires a substantialamount of floor space at a casino for each type of slot machine. Inaddition, purchasing large quantities of all of the types of slotmachines which players prefer to play can be expensive for a casino.

[0002] Certain players prefer playing slot machines with three reels asopposed to five reels because they feel that the overall odds ofachieving a winning outcome are greater for a three reel slot machinethan in a five reel slot machine. While in some cases this may be truedue to the specific paytables for the specific three reel and five reelslot machines, this is not necessarily true for all slot machines.Nevertheless, some players do not understand this because, regardless ofthe overall payouts and paytables, the probability that the player willachieve a particular outcome where three identical symbols are alignedalong a payline is generally higher than the probability that fiveidentical symbols will be aligned along a payline. Thus, some playersprefer playing three reel slot machines because of a perception thatfewer reels translates to a greater frequency of winning outcomes. Otherplayers prefer playing five reel slot machines because the eventualpayout for a winning combination may be higher due to a lowerprobability of achieving the outcome. Alternatively, a player may play afive reel machine because there are more winning combinations. However,a player wanting to play, for example, a three reel slot machine andthen play a five reel slot machine must play at a first three-reel slotmachine at one time and then change locations to play a second five-reelslot machine. This can be inconvenient for the player. There may alreadybe other players operating the gaming device which the player has movedto, leaving the player the option of waiting for that player to finishoperating the slot machine, or moving around to other areas of thecasino or another casino to find a different and unoccupied slotmachine.

[0003] It is therefore desirable to provide a gaming device whichenables a player to adjust the number of reels operated for each game.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] One embodiment of the present invention provides a gaming devicewhich enables a player to adjust or choose a number of reels within aplurality of reels to be operated for a given game. The processor of thegaming device adjusts or selects the paytable which corresponds to theplayer selected number of reels to be operated. In one embodiment, thegaming device has a plurality of reels. The reels include a plurality ofsymbols. A player, prior to activating the reels, chooses a number ofreels within the plurality of reels which will be activated. The playeruses conventional control features of the gaming device to send or inputa signal to the processor of the gaming device communicating the numberof reels the player chooses to operate. The processor controls the reelsand activates only the number of reels the processor chooses to operate.If the number of reels the player chooses to operate is less than thetotal number of reels, the processor deactivates those reels notoperated. In one embodiment, the processor causes the deactivated reelsto spin to a certain position such that a symbol is displayed indicatingthat the reels are deactivated. In another embodiment, one or morecovers are positioned over the deactivated reels. In another embodiment,the lighting previously directed towards the deactivated reels islowered or shut off to indicate deactivation of those reels. In anotherembodiment, the reels are on a video display device and the processorcauses the video display device to display only the selected number ofreels. Other suitable alternatives for displaying only certain of thereels are contemplated by the present invention.

[0005] The gaming device of the present invention also provides theplayer with a sliding or changing paytable or multiple differentpaytables. For example, the gaming device may include a first paytableassociated operation of five reels in which the probability of achievingwinning outcomes is low, but the payout for the winning outcome is high.The gaming device may also include a second paytable associated withoperation of three reels in which the probability of achieving a winningoutcome is higher but for which the payout is lower. The player mayprefer a higher frequency of winning outcomes with lower payouts.Accordingly, the player can choose to operate three out of the fivereels. However, if the player prefers to achieve a less probable winningoutcome having a higher payout, the player can choose to operate allfive reels. In one alternative embodiment, the gaming machine can have athree reel base game with a five reel base game. Alternatively, thefourth reel can be a bonus reel play with the fifth reel providing anadditional feature such as a multiplier to the base or bonus wincombination. The introduction of the fourth or fifth reel or any derivedcombination thereof can be conditioned based on a paytable “buy-up” or“buy-a-pay” feature that may require an additional wager than that forbase-game participation.

[0006] It should also be appreciated that the number of reels operatedwithin the gaming device of the present invention is not limited tothese examples and may include any plurality of reels within the gamingdevice and any suitable paytables associated with the different numberof reels. It should also be appreciated that the type of paytableassociated with the specific number of reels operated is not limited tothese examples and can include any suitable type of probabilities forwinning outcomes and any type of payouts for the same.

[0007] In an alternative embodiment, different paytables are providedfor different card games, such as five card stud in comparison to sevencard stud.

[0008] It is therefore an advantage of the present invention to providea gaming device which enables a player to choose the number of reelsoperated within a given game.

[0009] It is a further advantage of the present invention to provide agaming device enabling a player to choose a paytable within the gamingdevice based on the player's payout preferences.

[0010] Additional features and advantages of the present invention aredescribed in, and will be apparent from, the following DetailedDescription of the Invention and the figures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0011]FIGS. 1A and 1B are perspective views of alternate embodiments ofthe gaming device of the present invention.

[0012]FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the electronicconfiguration of one embodiment of the gaming device of the presentinvention.

[0013]FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of a display device displaying aset of reels in which certain reels are deactivated.

[0014]FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of a display device displaying aset of reels in which certain reels are deactivated.

[0015]FIG. 5 is a front elevation view of a display device displaying aset of reels in which certain reels are deactivated.

[0016]FIG. 6 is a front elevation view of a display device displaying aset of reels in which certain reels are deactivated.

[0017]FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the different methods of selecting aset of reels to be operated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Gaming Device and Electronics

[0018] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1A and1B, gaming device 10 a and gaming device 10 b illustrate two possiblecabinet styles and display arrangements and are collectively referred toherein as gaming device 10. The present invention includes the game,described below, being a primary game or base game bonus or secondarygame that coordinates with a base game. Gaming device 10 can be a slotmachine having the controls, displays and features of a conventionalslot machine, or another game such as a video card game such as poker.The player can operate the gaming device while standing or sitting.Gaming device 10 also includes being a pub-style or table-top game (notshown), which a player operates while sitting. The symbols and indiciaused for any of the base and progressive games include mechanical,electrical or video symbols and indicia.

[0019] In a stand alone or a bonus embodiment, the gaming device 10includes monetary input devices. FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a coin slot12 for coins or tokens and/or a payment acceptor 14 for cash money. Thepayment acceptor 14 also includes other devices for accepting payment,such as readers or validators for credit cards, debit cards or smartcards, tickets, notes, etc. When a player inserts money in gaming device10, a number of credits corresponding to the amount deposited is shownin a credit display 16. After depositing the appropriate amount ofmoney, a player can begin the game by pulling arm 18 or pushing playbutton 20. Play button 20 can be any play activator used by the playerwhich starts any game or sequence of events in the gaming device.

[0020] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B, gaming device 10 also includes a betdisplay 22 and a bet one button 24. The player places a bet by pushingthe bet one button 24. The player can increase the bet by one crediteach time the player pushes the bet one button 24. When the playerpushes the bet one button 24, the number of credits shown in the creditdisplay 16 decreases by one, and the number of credits shown in the betdisplay 22 increases by one. A player may cash out by pushing a cash outbutton 26 to receive coins or tokens in the coin payout tray 28 or otherforms of payment, such as an amount printed on a ticket or credited to acredit card, debit card or smart card.

[0021] Gaming device 10 also includes one or more display devices. Theembodiment shown in FIG. 1A includes a central display device 30, andthe alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 1B includes a central displaydevice 30 as well as an upper display device 32. The display deviceincludes any viewing surface such as glass, a video monitor or screen, aliquid crystal display or any other static or dynamic display mechanism.In a video poker, blackjack or other card gaming machine embodiment, thedisplay device includes displaying one or more cards.

[0022] The slot machine base game of gaming device 10 preferablydisplays a plurality of reels 34 such as three to five reels 34 inmechanical or video form. Each reel 34 displays a plurality of indiciasuch as bells, hearts, fruits, numbers, letters, bars or other imageswhich preferably correspond to a theme associated with the gaming device10. If the reels 34 are in video form, the display device displaying thevideo reels 34 is preferably a video monitor. Each base game, especiallyin the slot machine base game of the gaming device 10, includes speakers36 for making sounds or playing music.

[0023] Referring now to FIG. 2, a general electronic configuration ofthe gaming device 10 for the stand alone and bonus embodiments describedabove preferably includes: a processor 38; a memory device 40 forstoring program code or other data; a central display device 30; anupper display device 32; a sound card 42; a plurality of speakers 36;and one or more input devices 44. The processor 38 is preferably amicroprocessor or microcontroller-based platform which is capable ofdisplaying images, symbols and other indicia such as images of people,characters, places, things and faces of cards. The memory device 40includes random access memory (RAM) 46 for storing event data or otherdata generated or used during a particular game. It should beappreciated that a battery back-up memory may also be provided. Thememory device 40 also includes read only memory (ROM) 48 for storingprogram code, which controls the gaming device 10 so that it plays aparticular game in accordance with applicable game rules and pay tables.

[0024] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the player preferably uses the inputdevices 44 to input signals into gaming device 10. In the slot machinebase game, the input devices 44 include the pull arm 18, play button 20,the bet one button 24 and the cash out button 26. A touch screen 50 andtouch screen controller 52 are connected to a video controller 54 andprocessor 38. The terms “computer” or “controller” are used herein torefer collectively to the processor 38, the memory device 40, the soundcard 42, the touch screen controller and the video controller 54.

[0025] In certain instances, it is preferable to use a touch screen 50and an associated touch screen controller 52 instead of a conventionalvideo monitor display device. The touch screen enables a player to inputdecisions into the gaming device 10 by sending a discrete signal basedon the area of the touch screen 50 that the player touches or presses.As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the processor 38 connects to the coinslot 12 or payment acceptor 14, whereby the processor 38 requires aplayer to deposit a certain amount of money in to start the game.

[0026] It should be appreciated that although a processor 38 and memorydevice 40 are preferable implementations of the present invention, thepresent invention also includes being implemented via one or moreapplication-specific integrated circuits (ASIC's), one or morehard-wired devices, or one or more mechanical devices (collectively oralternatively referred to herein as a “processor”). Furthermore,although the processor 38 and memory device 40 preferably reside in eachgaming device 10 unit, the present invention includes providing some orall of their functions at a central location such as a network serverfor communication to a playing station such as over a local area network(LAN), wide area network (WAN), Internet connection, microwave link, andthe like.

[0027] With reference to the slot machine base game of FIGS. 1A and 1B,to operate the gaming device 10, the player inserts the appropriateamount of tokens or money in the coin slot 12 or the payment acceptor 14and then pulls the arm 18 or pushes the play button 20. The reels 34then begin to spin. Eventually, the reels 34 come to a stop. As long asthe player has credits remaining, the player can spin the reels 34again. Depending upon where the reels 34 stop, the player may or may notwin additional credits.

Adjustable Reel Operation

[0028] In one embodiment, the player selects the number of reels whichwill be operated in a particular game through a control feature of thegaming device. In one example, a player makes a wager and uses aconventional control feature of the gaming device including, but notlimited to, a button, touch screen, lever or other feature of the gamingdevice to send or input a signal to the processor that the playerselects a certain number of reels to be played. Preferably, there are atleast five reels within the display device including symbols 68, asillustrated in FIG. 3. If, for example, the player decides to play oroperate three of the reels within the gaming device, a signal is sent tothe processor to deactivate two of the reels within the display device,such as the first and last reels, 34 a and 34 e, respectively. In oneembodiment, the first and last reel spin to a predetermined positionwhich displays a symbol 72 indicating to the player that the reels havebeen deactivated. The symbol may display a phrase such as “InactiveReel” or other term, including but not limited to a graphically blanksymbol or position used to indicate that the reels have beendeactivated. The player plays the particular game and the active reels34 b, 34 c and 34 d spin while the inactive reels remain stopped. Thesymbols on the three active reels remain the same. When the active reelsstop and a plurality of symbols are displayed, only the symbols presenton the three reels operated are considered to determine any winningcombination. If the player chooses to operate additional reels in thenext game, the reels may re-spin to a random active symbol position, ormay begin spinning when the new game is initiated.

[0029] In one embodiment, the lighting which is directed towards thereels may be lowered or shut off with respect to the inactive reels. Forexample, if the player chooses to operate three out of five possiblereels, the lighting units (not shown) may be directed toward the firstand last reels 34 a and 34 e may be dimmed or shut off completely todraw attention to only those reels which will be played, as illustratedin FIG. 4. The game is then played in a manner similar to that describedabove. If the player chooses to operate additional reels in the nextgame, the lighting can again be directed towards the additional reels orturned on. This lighting technique may also be an embodiment whereby thelighting is accomplished via an LED, LCD or other illumination and/orshading that may exist on or behind the glass or display that covers oris around the reel that draws the attention.

[0030] In one embodiment, a cover is provided for an inactive reel. Forexample, if the first and last reel are inactive, a set of covers 78 aand 78 b may enter the viewing area of the display device in a slidingor other suitable manner from either side or from the top or bottom ofthe display device to cover the inactive reels as shown in FIGS. 5 and6. The covers, once placed over the inactive reels, restrict viewing ofthe inactive reels. The game is then played as described above. If theplayer chooses to operate additional reels in the next game, the coversare removed from the viewing area of the display device preferably in areverse manner. The reels can also be simply eliminated in a video slotmachine or replaced as illustrated in FIG. 4.

[0031] In one alternative embodiment, the number of reels selected isdetermined by an amount wagered by a player. For example, a displaydevice may display a plurality of reels, preferably five reels. Theplayer may choose from a plurality of possible wagers such as one creditto three credits. If a player inserts wagers one credit, the processormay select all five reels to be operated. If the player wagers threecredits, the processor selects only three of the five reels to beoperated. Preferably, the three reels operated are within the middlesection of reels. The processor may then select a method by which thefirst and fifth reel are deactivated, the method being any of the typedescribed above or any other method suitable for displaying only acertain number of selected reels. FIG. 7 provides a block diagram 100generally illustrating how the number of reels operated may bedetermined by either a direct control feature 102 of the gaming deviceor a wager control feature 104. Either form of selection involvescommunication with the processor 106 which controls the reels 108 athrough 108 e and activates or deactivates certain reels based on theselection or wager made by the player.

[0032] By changing the number of reels operated in a given game, theplayer acknowledges that the paytables probabilities associated withcertain outcomes are adjusted or are changed such as increasing ordecreasing based on the number of reels operated. For example, in thecase of a five reel embodiment of a slot machine and a three reelembodiment of a slot machine, the five reel embodiment and three reelembodiment may have a same outcome where the same symbol is displayed oneach of the reels along a payline. The probability of achieving thisoutcome is higher for a three reel embodiment than it is for a five reelembodiment. Thus, in the present invention, when a player chooses toplay three reels out of a possible five reels, the player has a sensethat the probability of obtaining a winning outcome is higher than thatfor a five reel embodiment.

[0033] In one embodiment, a paytable is set such that outcomes for fivereel operation of a gaming device have low probabilities of occurringand consequently, high payouts. In contrast, a second paytable is setfor three reel operation in which the probability of achieving a winningoutcome is higher. Accordingly, the payouts provided for the winningoutcomes are lower than those for five reel operation. Thus, in oneexample, the player can wager a greater amount to lower the number ofreels operated for a given game and heighten the probability ofachieving a winning outcome by, in essence, selecting a differentpaytable. In contrast, the player could decide to play a greater numberof reels, associated with a different paytable, with the intention ofachieving a larger payout in connection with a winning outcome which isless probable to occur. It should be appreciated that the type ofpaytable associated with the specific number of reels operated is notlimited to the examples provided above and can include any type ofprobabilities for winning outcomes and any type of payouts associatedwith the same. In one alternative embodiment, the gaming machine canhave a three reel base game with a five reel bonus game. Alternatively,the fourth reel can be a bonus reel play with the fifth reel providingan additional feature such as a multiplier to the base or bonus wincombination. The introduction of the fourth or fifth reel or any derivedcombination thereof, can be conditioned based on a paytable “buy-up” or“buy-a-pay” feature that may require an additional wager than that forbase-game participation. It should also be appreciated that theoperation of the present invention is not limited by multi-line ormulti-denomination features that may or may not be supported for a givenpaytable or game.

[0034] The gaming device of the present invention provides numerousadvantages. For example, by enabling the player to operate a selectednumber of reels based on the player's preference, the player does notneed to stop operating a first gaming device and move to a second gamingdevice having a different number of reels. This is convenient for theplayer because of the time and energy saved in locating a gaming devicethe player desires to play. Moreover, the player does not need to playdifferent types of gaming devices in order to play games with differenttypes of payouts. In addition, by providing a gaming device capable ofmulti-reel operation, a casino may save on floor space required forgaming devices. A casino may also save on the costs associated withpurchasing gaming devices because the number of gaming devices notoperated due to player preference may decrease based on the fact thatthe gaming device can be configured to the type of reel operation orpayout the player prefers. Another advantage is that the gaming deviceof the present invention provides multi-reel operation without the needfor retrofitting.

[0035] It should be understood that various changes and modifications tothe presently preferred embodiments described herein will be apparent tothose skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications can be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention andwithout diminishing its intended advantages. It is therefore intendedthat such changes and modifications be covered by the appended claims.

The invention is claimed as follows:
 1. A gaming device comprising: agame operable upon a wager by a player; a display device; a plurality ofreels in said game displayed by the display device; an input device; anda processor operable with the display device and the input device todisplay the reels, enable the player to select a first number of saidplurality of reels for said game or a second different number of saidplurality of reels for said game, and to operate said game with saidplayer selected first number of reels or said player selected secondnumber of reels.
 2. The gaming device of claim 1, which includesdifferent paytables associated with the first number of said pluralityof reels for said game and the second different number of said pluralityof reels in said game, wherein the processor uses the paytableassociated with the player selected number of reels for the game tooperate the game.
 3. The gaming device of claim 1, wherein the firstnumber of said plurality of reels for said game is associated with afirst wager and the second different number of said plurality of reelsfor said game is associated with a second different wager, and whereinthe amount wagered determines the number of reels operated.
 4. A gamingdevice operated under the control of a controller, said gaming devicecomprising: a game operable upon a wager by a player; a plurality ofreels in said game; an input device in communication with the controllerand which enables a player to select a first number of said plurality ofreels or a second different number of said plurality of reels; a firstpaytable stored by said controller and associated with said first numberof said plurality of reels; a second different paytable stored by saidcontroller and associated with said second different number of saidplurality of reels, wherein the controller selects one of the first andsecond paytables associated with the selected number of reels that areoperated; and a winning or losing outcome randomly determined andprovided to the player based on: (i) the first paytable if the playerselects the first number of said plurality of reels; and (ii) the secondpaytable if the player selects the second different number of saidplurality of reels.
 5. The gaming device of claim 4, wherein an amountwagered by the player determines the selection of the number of reels.6. A method for operating a gaming device including a wagering game,said method comprising: (a) enabling a player to select a first numberof a plurality of reels for the wagering game or a second differentnumber of said plurality of reels for said wagering game; (b) displayingsaid selected number of said reels; and (c) operating said wagering gamewith said player selected number of reels.
 7. The method of claim 6,wherein the step of enabling a player to select the first number of theplurality of reels in the wagering game or the second different numberof said plurality of reels in said wagering game includes enabling theplayer to wager different amounts and basing said selection on theamount wagered.
 8. The method of claim 6, wherein the gaming device isoperated via a data network.
 9. The gaming device of claim 8, whereinthe data network is an internet.
 10. The method of claim 6, wherein thesteps (a) through (c) are executed using instructions stored on a memorydevice.
 11. A method for operating a gaming device, said methodcomprising: (a) enabling a player to select a first number of aplurality of reels for a wagering game or a second different number ofsaid plurality of reels for said wagering game; (b) displaying saidselected number of said reels; (c) operating said wagering game withsaid player selected number of reels; and (d) randomly determining awinning or losing outcome to provide to the player based on: (i) a firstpaytable if the player selects the first number of said plurality ofreels; and (ii) a second different paytable if the player selects thesecond different number of said plurality of reels.
 12. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the step of enabling a player to select the firstnumber of the plurality of reels in the wagering game or the seconddifferent number of said plurality of reels in said wagering gameincludes enabling the player to wager different amounts and basing saidselection on the amount wagered.
 13. The method of claim 11, wherein thegaming device is operated via a data network.
 14. The gaming device ofclaim 11, wherein the data network is an internet.
 15. The method ofclaim 11, wherein the steps (a) through (c) are executed usinginstructions stored on a memory device.